Arterial blood supply to the uterus in nonpregnant sheep: a pertinent model for clinical practice?

Abstract

Our goal was to study the arterial supply to the sheep uterus to compare its similarity with that of women and to evaluate the interest of this animal model for training in uterine artery embolization. Ten nonpregnant sheep underwent aortography and selective study of the ovarian, internal iliac, uterine, and vaginal arteries. The uterus was supplied mainly by the uterine arteries in all sheep. The ovarian artery, which was identified in five sheep, had a thin anastomosis with the ipsilateral uterine artery at the tubal junction. The vaginal artery provided blood flow to the inferior part of the cervix and anastomosed with the ipsilateral uterine artery. Because uterine vascularization of nonpregnant sheep is similar to that of women, the sheep represents an appropriate model for experimental uterine artery embolization. This model should be used for interventional radiologists in training not familiar with endovascular navigation inside pelvic arteries.